SYDNEY - A former Australian police officer who ran police clubs for young people has been charged with child pornography.

A police document filed in court recently showed that the evidence against Gregory Minehan includes text messages, e-mails and telephone conversations, including one where he allegedly asked a 14-year-old boy about his sexual experience, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Minehan was arrested in December after a national investigation into pedophile networks.

As a police officer, Minehan worked in Armidale, a country town in New South Wales, and ran police youth clubs in two other towns as well. He is now working in private security.

Investigators say that Minehan was part of a network of pedophiles. In addition to sharing pornography, the group allegedly traded tips on avoiding detection.